No. 9 Cornhuskers travel to Texas A&M Saturday night. Nebraska had one of its best defensive performances in a while last week. This week will be much tougher to replicate that feel against this Aggie offense. Texas A&M has been much better offensively ever since Ryan Tannehill took over for Jerrod Johnson. Johnson was considered one of the better offensive players in the Big 12, but the team did not response. Tannehill has 10 touchdowns while only throwing three touchdowns. The Aggies scored at least 30 points the last four games. Nebraska has to be able to get consistent pressure on Tannehill. That will be a big factor in deciding which team will come out on top. Despite being 2nd in pass defense in the country, the Cornhuskers might have to rely on the efforts of Taylor Martinez and the offense to win.

As for the offense, the running game will be the key once again. Martinez either can be explosive or play a supporting role. Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead need to be able to carry the load again. A steady dose of the running game should spell doom for the Aggie defense. Averaging over 280 yards per game, the Cornhuskers should have no problem getting down the field. I worry about the line, which looked a bit slow. It has to contain senior Von Miller, who has five sacks this season. I see him being the key to clogging up the middle and not allowing Nebraska to run up the gut.

The game comes down to a few simple things. Special teams seem more important than ever in today’s game. Mishaps lead to a direct scoring opportunity for the opposing team. With that being said, Nebraska cannot make special team mistakes because of fumbleitis it has shown on offense. The Cornhuskers should be fine if they do not give the Aggies extra opportunities on offense. I see this game being an old-fashioned shootout with Nebraska coming out on top, 42-34.